Lent Lessons from a Little Known Woman
Last week I found lessons for us in the life of Zacchaeus. Because I’m
so engrossed in the people of the New Testament after writing that book
about them, this week I’m reflecting on another one, Salome, to see what
she can teach us as we near the season of Lent. Salome was the mother
of the apostles James and John. Since John is reputed to be about
nineteen when he followed Jesus, Salome was likely in her thirties when
she decided to follow him too. Lesson one: Give up things to draw closer
to Jesus. Sure, James and John left their boats and nets, but Salome
left her husband, Zebedee, and her house to wander the roads with Jesus.
She was so taken with this new preacher that she wanted to be with him
every day. (Of course, this way she could also be with her sons!) What
can we give up this Lent in order to be with Jesus? A few
minutes of sleep, rising early for morning prayers? Time in front of the
TV or computer in order to go to Mass and receive Jesus in Communion?
Reading novels so instead we have time to spend with Jesus as he comes
in the distressing guise of the poor? Click to continue
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